Document
Geneva, 17 May 2021
Dear sisters and brothers,
Grace and peace in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
It is with great concern that we are following the political developments in your country.
On behalf of the worldwide ecumenical fellowship, founded and continuously inspired by the values of unconditional defense of human dignity and the promotion of justice and peace, we echo your recent call to your membership to continue to promote peace at all levels of their lives and to cherish national democratic institutions built with so much pain and effort.
The recent decision by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador to dismiss the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney-General threatens to undermine democracy and the rule of law.
In genuine functioning democratic systems, the principle of the separation of powers requires that the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary must all be independent of the other and act as a check on each other.
El Salvador’s history and the suffering of its people attest to the critical importance of maintaining the principles and institutions that ensure that government serves the interests of the people, and that those in power do not abuse it.
Therefore, we encourage you “be on the alert and stand firm in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13), acting as instruments of justice and peace. We pray that the God of life will strengthen you in your ministry and witness, and lead El Salvador on the path to peace and justice.
Be assured of our Christian solidarity and commitment to walking with you in this challenging time.
Yours in Christ
Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca
Acting General Secretary
World Council of Churches
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria
General Secretary
ACT Alliance